Power Steering Filter

[haux]

Where is it located?

Is there is a DIY thread about the replacement procedure?

I tried doing a search for "power steering filter," but it seems to disregard the quotations and searches for any of the three words rather than all three together.

[Jimnist]

At the bottom of the reservoir. There really isn't anything to filter though.

[Novice_cardude]

On some toyotas there's a screen in the power steering rack that catches little bits of metal and such to keep them out of the works, but i couldn't tell you offhand how to remove it. I can tell you it would be messy, and you wouldn't replace it you'd clean it out and put it back. Unless you're replacing a pump or rack, or having hard steering issues, i'd leave it alone.

[JohnGD]

You need to get a new PS fluid reservoir to get a new filter at the outlet.

Or you can install a Magnefine transmission filter, but make sure it's the correct hose size and orientation. It'll be good for a transmission to have one but not sure the benefit for a PS system other than regular fluid changes.

http://www.magnefine.com/

Originally Posted by haux

Where is it located?

Is there is a DIY thread about the replacement procedure?

I tried doing a search for "power steering filter," but it seems to disregard the quotations and searches for any of the three words rather than all three together.

[haux]

Novice_cardude: recently, for a week, my steering wheel was stiffening up a couple times during a turn. The problem went away on its own after a week, but I still don't like that it happened in the first place. I was going to replace my PS fluid anyway this year, but I figured I would replace the filter too since something weird was going on. (It had nothing to do with the tension of the belt, btw. And the u-joint didn't appear to be the cause either)

JohnGD: Why would I need to replace the reservoir to replace the filter? Do Camry's come standard with ps fluid filters, or are you saying that they don't and I'll need a new reservoir to be able to fit one of them onto it?

[JohnGD]

Your PS reservoir already has a filter built-in. Yes, the PS filter is integral to the reservoir, which also means you can't just change it out without using a new reservoir. If you draw out all the fluid and look into the reservoir you'll see that little filter pad. That's all.

The Magefine filter is an aftermarket add-on filter. You buy one of the correct barb diameter, cut the hose and plug it in there. But if this isn't done properly you'll leak ATF all over your drive belt area. Not good!

Whether or not that built-in filter is fine enough to be plugged up I don't know. It's probably a coarse filter designed to catch larger particles. I always change PS fluid in cars every year or so.

Here from a fellow TN member on PS fluid change:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t19334.html

Originally Posted by haux

JohnGD: Why would I need to replace the reservoir to replace the filter? Do Camry's come standard with ps fluid filters, or are you saying that they don't and I'll need a new reservoir to be able to fit one of them onto it?

[haux]

Thank you! That's what I wanted to know. If it doesn't originally come with a separate in-line filter, I wouldn't mess with installing one.